Northern Oak Fern - Gymnocarpium dryopteris

Gymnocarpium dryopteris, also known as Common, Western, or Northern Oak Fern, is a perennial fern native to northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. It thrives in both deciduous and coniferous forests. This is a small fern, which does well in full to part shade, in medium to rich, moist, forest loam, both under hardwoods and pines. Plant size ranges from 4 to 15 inches. Spreads slowly by rhizome and makes a great forest groundcover.